The Albanian government has reported significant growth in healthcare subsidies and social services in the first half of 2026, including increased support for disabled individuals, chronic illness management, and digital healthcare modernisation.
According to Albania’s Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, more than 397,000 people benefited from state-backed healthcare support schemes in the first half of 2026, as the government continued to expand subsidies aimed at easing access to treatment and reducing out-of-pocket costs.
The ministry said 598 patients received stoma support packages between January and June, while 54,439 people were supplied with diabetes test strips. A further 342,136 patients obtained reimbursed prescriptions, reflecting what officials described as a wider effort to make essential medicines more affordable across the country.
The latest figures come after a series of health and social policy moves this year. In April, the ministry unveiled a package designed to strengthen support for people with disabilities and their families, including higher payments for about 11,000 children and the inclusion of around 15,000 personal assistants in the insurance system. The authorities said that reform carried an annual cost of roughly 3.55 billion lek and was intended to improve quality of life, encourage early intervention and support social inclusion.
Health Minister Evis Sala has also highlighted broader spending priorities for 2026, with the health budget set at 108.8 billion lek, according to the ministry’s November 2025 announcement. That funding was directed towards oncology medicines, hospital care and social services, alongside targeted treatments such as thrombectomy, breast reconstruction and corneal transplants. Officials have paired those measures with new social services and a wider push to modernise Albania’s health system through digital tools, specialist networks and improved screening programmes.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
